HB 3508

Abstract

Amends the PFAS Reduction Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the PFAS Pathways Act. Contains legislative findings. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) require select wastewater treatment plants' to report the results of analysis of raw influent sewage, treated sewage effluent, and sewage sludge residuals for PFAS; (2) produce and publish on the Agency's website a report on the eventual dispersion of PFAS through the treatment process; and (3) review the Agency's database of wastewater treatment plants, determine methods of processed sewage sludge disposal, and estimate the annual quantities of processed sewage sludge disposal on land, whether or not it is disposed of in-state or out-of-state. Requires the Prairie Research Institute's Illinois Sustainable Technology Center to: (1) review the list of contaminants of emerging concern in a specified report and determine what other chemical compounds have an environmental impact similar to PFAS; (2) determine appropriate methods for destroying PFAS; and (3) estimate the financial impact on wastewater treatment plants in this State from the methods for destroying PFAS. Allows the Agency to propose, and the Pollution Control Board to adopt, rules establishing maximum concentrations of PFAS that may be contained in an Exceptional Quality biosolid or sewage sludge that is to be applied to land. Makes a conforming change in the Environmental Protection Act. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: 415 ILCS 5/3.560 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the PFAS Reduction Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to follow the most up-to-date guidance to states from the United States Environmental Protection Agency on addressing the discharge of PFAS in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Requires the Agency to create a PFAS monitoring plan to be submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly by July 1, 2024. Provides that the Prairie Research Institute's Illinois Sustainable Technology Center shall provide PFAS-related technical assistance to industrial wastewater dischargers. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a take-back program for fire departments that use and store firefighting foam containing PFAS. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the PFAS Reduction Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a take-back program for fire departments that use and store firefighting foam containing PFAS. Provides that fire departments that participated in the most recent survey conducted under the Act by the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall be eligible to participate in the program, but participation in the program shall not be required. Requires the program to provide funding and resources to ensure the proper disposal or destruction of firefighting foam containing PFAS. Provides that the program shall continue for a period of 5 years or until the Office of the State Fire Marshal finds that no firefighting foam containing PFAS is reported. Effective immediately.